Portland Timbers Player Ratings v. Columbus Crew

Donovan Ricketts, 6: Ricketts was helpless on all three Crew goals, and made some nice saves down the stretch to keep the Timbers in the game. It would have been interesting to see if he would have saved the shot that Futty misdirected in.

Jack Jewsbury, 10: He didn’t put a foot wrong all game, and somehow scraped the Timbers second goal together. You can’t ask for anything more from a player.

Futty Danso, 4: Futty’s overall body of work was fine, but he was again caught out in the big moments. He got caught red-handed for holding on the penalty call. It’s something that isn’t often penalized, but you can’t complain when it is.

Pa Moudu Kah, 5: Kah’s most notable moment was his foray forward in the first half. He doesn’t seem to like playing his position – is central defense too easy or something?

Alvas Powell, 1: Powell’s game is set up for recklessness, and you could see his red-card challenge unfolding a good five seconds before it happened. The kid is simply not ready to play in MLS.

Will Johnson, 8: It wasn’t a flawless game by any means from Johnson, but it was his intoxicating competitiveness that got his team stuck into the game – and his post game interview clearly illustrated that.

Ben Zemanski, 7: Zemanski – who played four minutes this year until Diego Chara went down against LA – put in a terrific shift. He ran tirelessly, made plays all over the field, and only was withdrawn because the Timbers needed a goal. He’s probably a starter on a team without the Timbers’ central midfielders.

Darlington Nagbe, 6: Nagbe was dangerous whenever he got the ball, but the end product just isn’t there this year. Nagbe’s 11 game scoreless streak – 14 if you go back to last year’s playoffs – is approaching the longest of his career.

Diego Valeri, 7: Valeri wasn’t perfect against the Crew, but his moments of brilliance are unmissable. His free-kick that led to Fernandez’s equalizer was a thing of beauty.

Steve Zakuani, 4: It’s sad, but Zakuani looks so far from the player he once was I’m not sure he should be starting. His direct style is appreciated contrast, but he can’t beat players like he did with Seattle.

Maxi Urruti, 7: Urruti was having his best game as a Timber – the early turn and finish was a very good goal – until he was sacrificed after the red card.

Substitutes

Jorge Villafana, 5: Villafana came in and did his job well in tough conditions – though he should be thankful Jack Jewsbury can play on either side of the field, which allowed him to play his natural position.

Gaston Fernandez, 9: He was fantastic in his 20 minutes. Not only did he somehow score again – that’s five on the year, folks – his movement and passing in the midfield were a class above what the Timbers had earlier in the game. He should be starting, the question is in what position?

Fanendo Adi, 8: Rejoice! A target forward! Adi’s impact was immediate and impossible to miss. He should be the starter going forward.